Big C Bread
A moist, flavorful carrot bread packed with coconut, cherries, raisins, and pecans, perfect for breakfast or teatime, appealing to those who enjoy fruity, nutty baked treats.
Ingredients
- 3 beaten eggs ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cooking oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup milk ⓘ
- 2 1/2 cups plain flour ⓘ
- 1 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 2 cups shredded carrots ⓘ
- 1 (3.5 oz) can flaked coconut ⓘ
- 1/2 cup snipped maraschino cherries ⓘ
- 1/2 cup raisins ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine beaten eggs, cooking oil, and milk in a bowl.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and mix just until thoroughly combined.
- Stir in shredded carrots, flaked coconut, snipped maraschino cherries, raisins, and chopped pecans.
- Turn the batter into four well-greased and floured 16-ounce fruit cans.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Tips & Substitutions
For a moister bread, consider adding an extra egg or increasing the oil slightly. If you don't have pecans, walnuts or almonds can be great substitutes. You can also swap the maraschino cherries for dried cranberries for a tangy twist. If you prefer a less sweet bread, reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup without compromising texture.
Serving Suggestions
This Big C Bread is delightful on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a spread of cream cheese or butter. For a complete meal, serve alongside a fresh green salad or a bowl of Honey Dijon Pasta Salad. It makes a wonderful breakfast or snack, and can also be enjoyed for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It can be kept at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze slices in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or pop in a toaster for a warm treat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Big C Bread contains roughly 365 calories, with 4g protein, 49g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (116% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (44% of the Daily Value), and calcium (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 990mg per serving (43% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of plain flour?
Yes, you can substitute up to half of the plain flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition. However, it may change the texture slightly, making it denser. To maintain moisture, consider adding a little more milk or oil.
What can I use instead of shredded carrots?
If you don't have shredded carrots, finely grated zucchini or apples can work well as a substitute. Both will add moisture and a hint of sweetness. Just be sure to squeeze out excess moisture from zucchini before adding it to the batter.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of plain flour. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or add a teaspoon for better texture. The baking times may vary slightly, so keep an eye on the bread as it bakes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).